OTTAWA, ON - JANUARY 06: Carolina Hurricanes Right Wing Micheal Ferland (79) stretches during warm-up before National Hockey League action between the Carolina Hurricanes and Ottawa Senators on January 6, 2019, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)

Trade reports and players hearing them are dominating the hockey news cycle. From Pittsburgh Hockey Now’s exclusive story yesterday with Derick Brassard to the potential blockbuster that wasn’t with the Edmonton Oilers and Chicago Blackhawks, it’s been an interesting cycle. And oh by the way, there’s still hockey being played. Like on the ice. Like tonight, the Pittsburgh Penguins host the league-best Tampa Bay Lightning.

And if you aren’t a Twitter follower, walking home from the studio last night, I crossed paths with several Lightning players.

Watching a grown man chase several Tampa Bay Lightning players through Market Square for an autograph. He’s yelling, “Are one of you Connor McDavid?”

No kidding. Dude had a handful of sticks trying to get them signed and yelling, “I need Connor McDavid. Are one of you Connor McDavid?” Yikes, man. Yikes. Onto the links!

Pierre LeBrun of the Athletic has more about Michael Ferland. Sounds like the Carolina Hurricanes want to move, now (The Athletic)

Carolina’s timeframe could impact the Penguins time frame. And that could affect the Derick Brassard situation. And Brassard does hear his name, even as he tries to avoid it–a Pittsburgh Hockey Now exclusive (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

The Chicago Blackhawks and Edmonton Oilers were working on a blockbuster before Peter Chiarelli was axed. Oh, what might that have looked like? Elliotte Friedman dropped that nugget in a radio hit (Nichols on Hockey)

The Penguins have recalled Teddy Blueger from their AHL affiliate. Blueger has already tied his career high with 21 goals and some in the Penguins organization are excited (Pittsburgh Hockey Now) and get a good chat going–choose podcast or video for our latest Penguins chat (PHN)

The Jake Muzzin to Toronto deal has implications for the flooded trade market. Chris Johnston took a good look at the bigger picture. It also sounds like Rob Blake is going to be a good GM–he knew when to pull the trigger. Some guys never get that right. (Sportsnet)